Brill's Studies in Intellectual History64 The Rise and Fall of Latin Humanism Early Modern Russia

This book asks if the nobility could lead the Westernization of Russia in early modern times. Its yardstick is Humanism and the Latin Classics, which dominated education in Europe, but with which Russia's government only flirted, and most in society rejected. The Rise and Fall of Latin Humanismus in Early Modern Russia argues that, between 1650 and 1789, Russia flirted with Western Europe's Latin Humanism. However, all levels of society, especially the nobility, consistently rejected the pagan authors of Latinate culture, propagated by Ukrainian clergy. An examination of the printing industry, Latin teaching, and private libraries in Russia, and excursions into the thought of Russia's “enlighteners” demonstrate that Latin authors had little impact on Russia, especially the nobility, traditionally regarded as the advocate of Western educational and cultural values. The book contributes to our understanding of the reforms of Peter the Great, of Catherine's “enlightened” reputation, of the origins of the intelligentsia, and of the cultural ties between Russians and the peoples they annexed in early modern times.